A Lazy Summer | Idol Recap

Summer is here! And I think it’s heat is killing off all the news within the idol industry because there’s so little notable news from this past week, but the few things that are notable are at least really exciting! Except for one…

HKT48 4th Generation members revealed!

So to start off this week’s Idol News recap, similarly like how NMB48 revealed their new generation members 2 weeks ago, HKT48 revealed their 4th Generation members on July 12th, 2016 during their HKT leaving AKB48 group? Referendum Concert 2016 Summer Hall Tour performance of that day.

The 4th Generation members are as follows:

Unjo Hirona (運上弘菜), 17 years old.

Oda Ayaka (小田彩加), 17 years old.

Otoshima Risa (音嶋莉沙), 17 years old.

Sakai Moeka (堺萌香), 17 years old.

Shimizu Rio (清水梨央), 12 years old.

Takeda Tomoka (武田智加), 13 years old.

Jitoue Nene (地頭江音々), 15 years old.

Tsukiashi Amane (月足天音), 16 years old.

Toyonaga Aki (豊永阿紀), 16 years old.

Matsumoto Hinata (松本日向), 15 years old.

Miyazaki Sono (宮﨑想乃), 15 years old.

It should also be noted that Otoshima is a former member of avex‘s Idol StreetStreet-sei group FUKUOKA Hakata Minyon sweet★. It’ll be interesting to follow these new Kenkyuusei (Research Students/Trainee Members) and I wish them all the luck in the world!

NMB48 releases new short MVs

Moving on to more music video related Idol News, in the lead up to the release of NMB48‘s 15th Single Boku wa Inai(僕はいない)the official NMB48YouTube Channel posted short Music Videos of the 3 coupling songs that will be provided by NMB‘s Team N, M & BII.

The MV for Team N’s coupling song Sora Kara Ai ga Futte Kuru (空から愛が降って来る) which roughly translates to Love is Descending from the Skywas posted on July 12th, 2016 with the song & full music video being included with the Type-A release of Boku wa Inai.

The MV for Team M’s coupling song Saigo no go Shakudama (最後の五尺玉)was posted on July 14th, 2016 with the song & full music video being included with the Type-B release of Boku wa Inai.

The MV for Team BII’s coupling song Mousou Machine 3-gouki (妄想マシーン3号機) which translates toDelusion Machine 3was posted on July 13th, 2016 with the song & full music video being included with the Type-C release of Boku wa Inai.

These coupling songs are alright, they’re not bad or anything but they aren’t really anything to write home about but they are a nice bonus for each individual Type release, even though I’ll personally be getting Type-D. Boku wa Inai will be released on August 3rd, 2016.

SKE48 20th single covers revealed!

In more new idol single release news, SKE48revealed the covers for their upcoming 20th Single Kin no Ai, Gin no Ai (金の愛、銀の愛) on July 14th, 2016 and they’re quite similar to the covers of the group’s 19th Single Chicken LINE. Additionally, the set list for each Type has been revealed. The covers and set lists are as follows:

DVD

Theater Edition

CD

Kin no Ai, Gin no Ai (金の愛、銀の愛)

Kon’ya wa Shake it ! (今夜はShake it !) (Love Crescendo)

SKE48 20th Single Medley

Kin no Ai, Gin no Ai (off-vocal ver.)

Kon’ya wa Shake it ! (off-vocal ver.)

It should also be noted that Sayonara ga Utsukushikute will be Shibata Aya‘s graduation song which will be performed by herself along with the other 4th generation members. Kin no Ai, Gin no Ai will be released on August 17th, 2016 and is the Theme Song for the currently airing drama DEATH CASH.

Hirata Rina announces her Graduation

Now for some sad idol news, AKB48 Team A member Hirata Rina announced her graduation from the group during her Birthday LIVE ceremony at the AKB48 Theater on July 16th, 2016. She explained that the reasoning for her graduation was that she wanted to leave her home known as AKB and take the hard road as well as to be able to study for a higher education by going to college.

Hirata joined the group back in April, 2011 as part of the group’s 12th Generation Members and was quite a unique member considering her father is American & her mother is Japanese, making her half-american. Additionally, Hirata grew up in Arizona until she was 12 which resulted in her being fluent in English, yet even though Hirata‘s such a unqiue member, she never achieved anything major within the group. She participated in a number of coupling songs for the group’s singles but she only was part of one Single which was Kimi no Hohoemi wo Yume ni Miruand that was only due to taking part of 2013’s Janken Taikai… She never even ranked in in the 5 times she participated in the Senbatsu Sousenkyo…

I’m just really sad to see Hillary go… she was such a unique and fun member, but sometimes you need to leave your home to be able to fully spread your wings. I wish her all of the luck in the world for her journey on the hard road as well as in her pursue of higher education, hope you get into a good college Hillary!

Aqours insert song release update

And in our last bit of Idol News this week, it was announced through Lantis‘ official YouTube channel on July 16th, 2016 that the Insert Song of Love Live! Sunshine!!‘s Episode 3 titled Daisuki Dattara Daijoubu! (ダイスキだったらダイジョウブ！) which is performed by Aqours‘ 2nd years will be included with the release ofKimeta yo Hand in Hand (決めたよHand in Hand) which was the Insert Song at the end of the show’s first episode.

Kimeta yo Hand in Hand/Daisuki Dattara Daijoubu! will be released on August 3rd, 2016.

So while this week had at least something notable from almost every type of Idol News like music videos, new covers, additional songs & new members it also had the graduation announcement of a very memorable and likeable member… and it honestly makes me sad just thinking about it… we’ll miss you Hillary!!